Ranchi draw sets up India-Australia decider

Having at one stage faced an uphill battle to avoid defeat, Australia dug deep to earn a draw with India in Ranchi.

Australia and India will head to the final Test locked at 1-1 after their third meeting ended in a draw on Monday.

Peter Handscomb underlined the tourists' gritty determination with a painstaking 72 not out on a final day in Ranchi which was perhaps more attritional than entertaining.

Having seen Cheteshwar Pujara's first-innings double-century lead India to 603-9 declared on Sunday, Australia – who resumed their second innings on 23-2 and still 129 runs behind – knew a stern test awaited them in tricky conditions.

But only four wickets fell on day five and Virat Kohli offered the draw when Steve Smith's side were on 204-6, leading by 52.

The fourth Test begins in Dharamsala on Saturday, with the series victory up for grabs for both sides.

DRAW! Huge effort from Marsh & Handscomb to keep the series locked at 1-1